Method of constructing underground gallery by using pneumatic transfer system and stratum disposal method

ABSTRACT

A method of constructing underground galleries using a pneumatic transfer system and a stratum disposal method are provided, wherein in constructing a disposal gallery of a stratum disposal site and tunnels such as mountain tunnels or in performing stratum disposal of waste matter, the carrying-out of excavation chips or the like, the carrying-in of materials and equipment or the like and the carrying-in and positioning of waste matter may be effected safely, quickly and reliably at low cost, and the buffer material quality for waste matter may be secured. In construction, an air carrying pipeline ( 10 ) is used while extending the air carrying pipeline ( 10 ) downward as desired during excavation of a vertical shaft ( 2 ) so as to carry out vertical shaft excavation chips (a) to the ground and carry in materials and equipment including vertical shaft spray concrete (b) to the underground site. Alternatively, the vertical shaft itself is used as the air carrying pipeline ( 10 ), and by using the air carrying pipeline ( 10 ) extending from the vertical shaft ( 2   a ) to an underground gallery ( 3 ), excavation chips (a) from the underground gallery ( 3 ) are carried out to the ground and materials and equipment for the underground gallery are carried in to the underground site. In operation, the air carrying pipeline ( 10 ) is used to carry in a carrying container ( 11 ) with the waste matter (A) and a buffer material ( 13 ) integrated together and stored therein, to the underground site, and the integrated waste matter (A) and buffer material (B) are positioned and buried in a disposal hole ( 7 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a method of constructing a stratum disposalsite of radioactive waste matter or the like and tunnels such asmountain tunnels by using a pneumatic transfer system and also to amethod of performing stratum disposal of the radioactive waste matter orthe like.

BACKGROUND ART

In stratum disposal of radioactive waste matter, the radioactive wastematter is stabilized into vitrified matter, the vitrified matter is thenstored in an airtight condition in a thick steel plate-made airtightcontainer called an overpack, and the overpack is then positioned andburied in a bedrock having a depth as much as several hundred to severalten hundred meter underground, for instance, through a buffer material(bentonite-contained mixed soil or the like).

FIG. 18 shows one exemplified stratum disposal site, which is composedof access galleries 2 (vertical shafts 2 a, inclined shafts 2 b andspiral galleries) that interconnect ground facilities 1 and undergroundfacilities, a large number of disposal galleries 3 that are to positionthe waste matter (overpack), main galleries 4 that run round thedisposal galleries and transfer galleries 5 that interconnect the maingalleries. Incidentally, a disposal panel 6 is constructed as adivisional unit composed of the disposal gallery 3 and the main gallery4 that runs round the above disposal gallery. The advantages of dividingan area for disposal of the waste matter into several independent panelsare that flexible layout may be effected depending on geologicalenvironmental conditions or the like of the disposal site to ensure thatprincipal works such as construction, operation and closing-up areexecutable independently in parallel on each panel basis.

In the stage of construction, the construction of the undergroundfacilities and the ground facilities takes place. In the stage ofoperation, works such as accepting of the vitrified matter, charging ofthe overpack with the vitrified matter, manufacturing of the buffermaterial, carrying and positioning of the waste matter and the buffermaterial and refilling of the disposal galleries and the main galleriesmainly take place. In the stage of closing-up, works such as refillingof the transfer galleries and the access galleries and disassembling anddismantling of the ground facilities mainly take place.

In the above stratum disposal site, methods conventionally available asa method of carrying the waste matter and the buffer material from theground to the underground site and a method of positioning the wastematter and the buffer material in a disposal space are as follows.Incidentally, there are provided Japanese Patent Laid-open Nos.2001-166093, 9-61594, 9-61595 and 9-61596 etc. as the reference todocuments on the related art.

(1) Method of Carrying Waste Matter and Buffer Material (See FIG. 18)

(a) Method (of vertical shaft system) of carrying waste matter A and abuffer material B from the ground to the underground site by using anindividual lifting equipment 50 in each access vertical shaft 2 a

(b) Method (of inclined shaft system) of carrying the waste matter A andthe buffer material B from the ground to the underground site by usingan individual travelling carrying machine 51 that travels through eachaccess inclined shaft 2 b

(2) Method of Positioning Waste Matter and Buffer Material (See FIG. 18)

FIG. 18 shows a pattern of lengthwise arrangement of disposal holes,wherein a plurality of vertical disposal holes 7 are constructed in thebottom of the disposal gallery 3 at intervals in a longitudinaldirection of the gallery, and the waste matter A is positioned andburied in a lengthwise arrangement in each disposal hole 7. The wastematter A and the buffer material (block) B are carried after beingtransshipped into an individual automatic remote control positioningapparatus 5, and positioning takes place in such a manner that {circleover (1)} a lower buffer material block B is firstly positioned in eachdisposal hole 7 by using a remote control robot (a handling device) ofthe automatic remote control positioning apparatus 52, {circle over (2)}the waste matter A is then positioned in the buffer material block B,given by the above positioning, by using the remote control robot, and{circle over (3)} an upper buffer material block B is then positioned onthe waste matter A by using the remote control robot.

Incidentally, other waste matter positioning and burying patterns thanthe above pattern of lengthwise arrangement of disposal holes includepatterns such as a pattern of horizontal arrangement of disposalgalleries, wherein horizontal or inclined disposal galleries areconstructed by excavation in parallel at prescribed intervals between apair of main galleries at the left and right sides, and the waste matterA is positioned and buried in a horizontal arrangement in each disposalgallery at prescribed intervals in the longitudinal direction of thegallery, a pattern of lengthwise arrangement of disposal verticalshafts, wherein vertical disposal galleries (disposal vertical shafts)are constructed by excavation in parallel at prescribed intervalsbetween the main gallery at the upper side and the gallery at the lowerside, and the waste matter A is positioned and buried in a lengthwisearrangement in each disposal gallery at prescribed intervals in avertical direction, and a pattern of horizontal arrangement of disposalholes, wherein horizontal disposal holes are constructed by excavationin the opposite side wall parts of the disposal gallery at intervals inthe longitudinal direction of the gallery, and the waste matter A ispositioned and buried in a horizontal arrangement in each disposal hole.

In addition, the buffer material B includes mixed soil or the likemainly containing bentonite. The bentonite-contained mixed soil is amaterial having dynamic buffering functions, low permeability and lowdiffusibility of radioactive matter, in other words, a material that iseffective in reducing bedrock pressure or underground water effects toensure that retardation of nuclide migration is achievable.

(1) Problems of the Conventional Method of Carrying the Waste Matter andthe Buffer Material

(a) In the case of the vertical shaft system, there is a possibility ofbringing about a fall of the waste matter A. The fall of the wastematter, if caused, is likely to lead to serious disasters.

(b) In the case of the vertical shaft system, a dead load of a wire ropeof the lifting equipment 50 increases with greater shaft depth, so thata remarkable reduction in permissible lifting capacity (a waste matterweight obtained by taring the rope dead load) is caused.

(c) In the case of the vertical shaft system, it is difficult toincrease a lifting speed, because of the possibility of being in dangerof the fall of the waste matter A and the necessity to decrease a loadapplied to the wire rope.

(d) In the case of the inclined shaft system, application of a load to aspeed reduction (stopping) device of the traveling carrying machine 51is caused. When the speed reduction device develops troubles, there is afear that runaway of the waste matter A occurs, leading to seriousdisasters.

(e) In the case of the inclined shaft system, an increase of reliabilityon control of the traveling carrying machine 51 requires an expensivemachine.

(f) In the case of the inclined shaft system, arrangements of thesecondary equipment such as rail and traction wire arrangements arerequired, leading to an increase in cost.

(2) Problems of the Conventional Method of Positioning the Waste Matterand the Buffer Material

(a) An extremely precise automatic remote control positioning apparatus52 is required for execution of individual positioning of the wastematter A and the buffer material B in the disposal holes or the like,leading to an increase in cost.

(b) If the positioning results in a failure, it is difficult to effectrestoration by an automatic remote control operation.

(c) For the positioning of the buffer material blocks in the disposalholes or the like in such a manner as to divide the buffer material intoblocks, it is difficult to secure a buffer material quality obtainedafter the positioning of the buffer material.

While the above problems are those given in the stage of operation, thesame problems as those shown in the above section (1) are also createdin the stage of construction of the disposal galleries, since thecarrying-out of the excavation chips and the carrying-in of thematerials and equipment for construction of the disposal galleries areeffected also by using the lifting equipment 50 or the travelingcarrying machine 52 in the access galleries 2 in the stage ofconstruction.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been undertaken in order to eliminate theabove problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide amethod of constructing underground galleries, wherein in constructingdisposal galleries in a stratum disposal site or tunnels such asmountain tunnels, the carrying-out of excavation chips or the like andthe carrying-in of materials and equipment or the like may be effectedsafely, quickly and reliably at low cost, and also a stratum disposalmethod, wherein the carrying-in of waste matter in the stratum disposalsite may be effected safely, quickly and reliably at low cost, thepositioning of the waste matter and a buffer material in the stratumdisposal site may be also effected safely, quickly and reliably at lowcost, and the quality of the buffer material may be secured easily.

According to claim 1 of the present invention, there is provided amethod of constructing underground galleries by using a vertical shaftor an inclined shaft, specifically, a method of constructing undergroundgalleries, wherein an air carrying pipeline is used while extending theair carrying pipeline downwards as desired during excavation of thevertical shaft or the inclined shaft so as to carry out vertical shaftor inclined shaft excavation chips to the ground and also carry inmaterials and equipment for the vertical shaft or the inclined shaft tothe underground site, and by using the air carrying pipeline extendingfrom the vertical shaft or the inclined shaft to an underground gallery,excavation chips from the underground gallery are carried out to theground or the materials and equipment for the underground gallery arecarried in to the underground site. In the underground galleries, theair carrying pipeline is used for both of the carrying-out of theexcavation chips and the carrying-in of the materials and equipment, oralternatively, for either of the carrying-out of the excavation chips orthe carrying-in of the materials and equipment.

The construction method according to claim 1 of the present invention isa method, which is applied to construction of the underground galleriesin the stratum disposal site of the waste matter and the mountaintunnels or the like, and in which the air carrying pipeline is arrangedin the vertical shaft or the inclined shaft, and by using the aircarrying pipeline and a carrying container (a so-called capsuletransport line), the carrying-out of the excavation chips from thevertical shaft, the inclined shaft or the underground gallery to theground, and the carrying-in of the materials and equipment including thespray concrete for the vertical shaft, the inclined shaft or theunderground gallery to the underground site are effected (See FIG. 1).Alternatively, in the underground galleries, other paths or othercarrying means are also available for the carrying-out of the excavationchips or the carrying-in of the materials and equipment.

According to claims 2 of the present invention, there is provided amethod of constructing underground galleries by using a vertical shaftor an inclined shaft, specifically, a method of constructing undergroundgalleries, wherein the vertical shaft or inclined shaft itselfconstructed by excavation is used as an air carrying pipeline, and byusing the air carrying pipeline, excavation chips from the undergroundgallery are carried out to the ground or materials and equipment for theunderground gallery are carried in to the underground site. In the aboveconstruction method, the air carrying pipeline is also used in theunderground galleries for both of the carrying-out of the excavationchips and the carrying-in of the materials and equipment, oralternatively, either of the carrying-out of the excavation chips or thecarrying-in of the materials and equipment.

The construction method according to claim 2 of the present invention isa method, which is applied to construction of the underground galleriesin the stratum disposal site of the waste matter and the mountaintunnels or the like, and in which the air carrying pipeline isconstructed in such a manner that the vertical shaft or the inclinedshaft for air carrying is constructed by excavation and a liningmaterial and a membrane or the like respectively adapted to bear astrength and an air-tightness are then placed on the inner side wall ofthe vertical shaft or the inclined shaft, and by using the verticalshaft-and-air carrying pipeline and the carrying container (theso-called capsule transport line), the carrying-out of the excavationchips from the vertical shaft, the inclined shaft or the undergroundgallery to the ground, and the carrying-in of the materials andequipment including the spray concrete for the vertical shaft, theinclined shaft or the underground gallery to the underground site areeffected (See FIG. 2). Alternatively, other paths or other carryingmeans are also available for the carrying-out of the excavation chips orthe carrying-in of the materials and equipment in the undergroundgalleries.

According to claim 3 of the present invention, there is provided astratum disposal method of performing stratum disposal of waste matterin an underground disposal space, specifically, a stratum disposalmethod, wherein an air carrying pipeline is arranged in an accessvertical shaft or an access inclined shaft extending to an undergroundgallery, and by using the air carrying pipeline, the waste matter iscarried in to the underground gallery for positioning and burying of thewaste matter in the disposal space.

The stratum disposal method according to claim 3 of the presentinvention is a method, which is applied to disposal of the waste matter(the so-called overpack) such as radioactive wastes, for instance, bypositioning and burying the waste matter, together with the buffermaterial, in the underground disposal space (a disposal gallery ordisposal holes provided for the disposal gallery or the like), and inwhich the air carrying pipeline is arranged in the access vertical shaftor the access inclined shaft, and by using the air carrying pipeline andthe carrying container (the so-called capsule transport line), thecarrying-in of the waste matter to the underground gallery is effected(See FIG. 1). The air carrying pipeline and an automatic remote controlpositioning apparatus or the like may be used for the carrying of thewaste matter to the disposal space to ensure that the waste matter ispositioned and buried, together with the buffer material, in thedisposal space.

According to claim 4 of the present invention, there is provided astratum disposal method of performing stratum disposal of waste matterin an underground disposal space, specifically, a stratum disposalmethod, wherein a vertical shaft or an inclined shaft itself constructedby excavation is used as an air carrying pipeline, and by using the aircarrying pipeline, the waste matter is carried in to the undergroundgallery, for positioning and burying of the waste matter in the disposalspace.

The stratum disposal method according to claim 4 of the presentinvention is a method, which is applied to disposal of the waste matter(the so-called overpack) such as the radioactive waste, for instance, bypositioning and burying the waste matter, together with the buffermaterial, in the underground disposal space (the disposal gallery or thedisposal holes provided for the disposal gallery), and in which the aircarrying pipeline is constructed in such a manner that the verticalshaft or the inclined shaft for air carrying is constructed byexcavation and a lining material and a membrane or the like respectivelyadapted to bear a strength and an air-tightness are placed on the innerside wall of the vertical shaft or the inclined shaft, and by using thevertical shaft-and-air carrying pipeline and the carrying container (theso-called capsule transport line), the carrying-in of the waste matterto the underground gallery is effected (See FIG. 2). The air carryingpipeline and the automatic remote control positioning apparatus or thelike may be used for the carrying of the waste matter to the disposalspace to ensure that the waste matter is positioned and buried, togetherwith the buffer material, in the disposal space.

According to claim 5 of the present invention, in the stratum disposalmethod according to claim 3 or 4, there is provided the stratum disposalmethod, wherein a carrying matter obtained by integrating the wastematter and the buffer material together is carried by pneumatictransfer, and is positioned and buried in a disposal space.

Specifically, according to the present invention, while the waste matter(the so-called overpack) itself may be carried by pneumatic transfer orthe carrying container with the waste matter stored therein may be alsocarried by pneumatic transfer, it is preferable that the waste matterand the buffer material are stored in an integrating container, and thepneumatic transfer of the integrating container is effected with theintegrating container stored in the carrying container or with theintegrating container as the carrying container to position and bury theintegrating container in the disposal space.

According to claim 6 of the present invention, in the stratum disposalmethod according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, there is provided the stratumdisposal method, wherein the air carrying pipeline has, at a lower part,an air valve which permits the inflow of air into the pipeline andchecks the outflow of air to the outside of the pipeline.

Specifically, for a pneumatic transfer system according to the presentinvention, while use is made of systems such as a suction system,wherein an exhaust device is arranged at an upper part of the aircarrying pipeline, a press-in system, wherein an exhaust device isarranged at a lower part of the air carrying pipeline, and a system,wherein the exhaust device is arranged at both of the upper and lowerparts of the air carrying pipeline, a pneumatic transfer system havingthe air valve of check valve type at the lower part of the air carryingpipeline is effective in performing supply of air into the pipeline orventilation of the underground facilities and the tunnels efficiently ina valve opened condition, and also enables a pneumatic damper effect tobe obtained in a valve closed condition. Thus, even if troubles or thelike with the system bring about a spontaneous fall condition, thedamper effect is expected to be active, with the result that the safetyis secured.

Incidentally, according to the present invention, the vertical shaft isa shaft constructed in a vertical position by excavation, and theinclined shaft includes a linear-shaped or partly curved shaftconstructed in an inclined position by excavation.

In the present invention, since (1) the pneumatic transfer system isused to carry out and carry in the carrying matter using a differencebetween pneumatic pressures at the upper and lower sides of the carryingmatter, {circle over (1)} it is allowable to dispense with theconventional wire rope so that any restriction by a depth is eliminatedto ensure that carrying even to a greater depth is executable, {circleover (2)} a carrying speed may be increased as compared with aconventional wire rope system, {circle over (3)} the transfer systemrequires only the differential pressure management, leading to anincrease in carrying reliability, {circle over (4)} a transfer systemmechanism is simple, so that high resistance to troubles is obtainable,and maintenance or management thereof also becomes facilitated, and{circle over (5)} there is no necessity of a precise carrying machine,resulting in an increase in economical efficiency. With the aboveadvantages, the carrying-out of the excavation chips or the like and thecarrying-in of the materials and equipment or the like in constructionof the stratum disposal site and the mountain tunnels or the like, andthe carrying-in of the waste mater in the stratum disposal site and thepositioning of the waste matter and the buffer material in the stratumdisposal site may be effected safely, quickly and reliably at low cost.

(2) With the operation of the pneumatic transfer system, it is allowableto perform suction of air in the underground facilities or the tunnelsto ensure that ventilation of air in the underground facilities or thetunnels is achievable. The air carrying pipeline is also serviceable asa ventilating vertical shaft, and thus requires no arrangement of otherventilation systems, leading to an increase in economical efficiency.

(3) With the use of the vertical shaft or the like itself as a part ofthe pneumatic transfer system, {circle over (1)} the air carryingpipeline having the strength and the air-tightness may be constructedeasily only by placing the lining material and the membrane or the likeon the inner side wall of the vertical shaft or the like, and {circleover (2)} a compact transfer system may be given to ensure that adiameter reduction of the vertical shaft or the like is attainable. Theabove advantages lead to an increase in economical efficiency.

(4) The carrying container is put to practical use in the stratumdisposal of the radioactive waste matter, and the waste matter and thebuffer material are integrated together at the ground facilities. Bypositioning and burying the integrated waste matter and buffer materialin the disposal space of the underground facilities together with thecarrying container, {circle over (1)} there is no necessity to positionthe waste matter A and the buffer material B individually in theunderground site, unlike a conventional technology, so that thepositioning work may be effected safely, quickly and reliably at lowcost, and the positioning reliability and the quality of the buffermaterial are increased. {circle over (2)} No swelling of the buffermaterial is caused because of no permeation of the underground water inthe buffer material for a certain period of time since the positioningof the buffer material, so that retrieving becomes facilitated, and aremoval work is also performed easily.

(5) With the air valve provided at the lower part of the air carryingpipeline, the outflow of air from the vertical shaft or the like intothe underground facilities or the tunnels is prevented, so that even ifa stop of the power supply or the like in the course of carrying bringsabout the spontaneous fall condition of the carrying matter, the dampereffect obtained by a compression action of air at the lower part of theair carrying pipeline may be adapted to prevent disasters caused by acrash of the carrying matter against the lower part of the undergroundfacilities or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of a constructingmethod and a stratum disposal method according to the present invention,specifically, a construction stage and an operation stage in progressorder when an air carrying pipeline is placed in an access verticalshaft of a stratum disposal site, wherein FIGS. 1(i) and (ii) showstages of construction of a vertical shaft, FIGS. 1(iii) and (iv) showstages of construction of a horizontal gallery and FIG. 1(v) shows astage of operation;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of a constructingmethod and a stratum disposal method according to the present invention,specifically, a construction stage and an operation stage in progressorder when an individual vertical shaft is used as the air carryingpipeline, wherein FIG. 2(i) shows a stage of construction of a verticalshaft, FIGS. 2(ii) and (iii) show stages of construction of a horizontalgallery, and FIG. 2(iv) shows a stage of operation;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an outline of the whole pneumatictransfer system for use in the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing the air carryingpipeline of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing an open conditionand a closed condition of an air valve of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a ventilating systemobtained by the individual vertical shaft of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of a carryingcontainer carrying-in process;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of a carrying matterstructure;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a different embodiment of thecarrying matter structure;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a different embodiment of carryingmatter;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a work of positioning of thecarrying matter in a disposal hole in progress order;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the carrying container and thecarrying matter;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a different embodiment of a carryingmatter shape;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a deformed condition of the verticalshaft;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of a carryingmaterial position in the carrying matter;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a different embodiment of thevertical shaft;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of a lower part shapeof the vertical shaft; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view and a sectional view showing a stratumdisposal site of radioactive waste matter and a conventional carryingand positioning method.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference toan illustrated embodiment. The embodiment of the present invention isthat attained by applying the present invention to stratum disposal ofradioactive waste matter. FIG. 1 shows a construction stage and anoperation stage in order when an air carrying pipeline is placed in anaccess vertical shaft of a stratum disposal site. FIG. 2 shows aconstruction stage and an operation stage in order when an individualvertical shaft is used as the air carrying pipeline. FIG. 3 shows anoutline of a pneumatic transfer system for use in the present invention.

[A] For Placement of the Air Carrying Pipeline in the Access VerticalShaft of the Stratum Disposal Site

(1) This stage is that of construction of the vertical shaft, and asshown in FIG. 1(i), an air carrying pipeline 10 is placed in a verticalposition, while an access vertical shaft 2 a is constructed byexcavation from the ground. The pipeline 10 is extended downwardssuccessively with the advance of construction of the vertical shaft 2 aby excavation. Then, excavation chips a are stored in a carryingcontainer (capsule) 11 and are then carried out to the ground bypneumatic transfer of suction system with negative pressure or ofpress-in system with positive pressure.

(2) This stage is also that of construction of the vertical shaft, andas shown in FIG. 1(ii), materials and equipment including spray concreteb are stored in the carrying container 11 and are then carried in fromthe ground to the bottom of the vertical shaft 2 a under excavation bypneumatic transfer of suction or press-in system. The carrying-out ofthe excavation chips a and the carrying-in of the materials andequipment b take place in an alternate manner to proceed the executionof work of the spray concrete b to an upper part of the vertical shaftwhile advancing the excavation.

(3) This stage is that of construction of the horizontal gallery, and asshown in FIG. 1(iii), the excavation chips a from a disposal gallery 3are stored in the carrying container 11 and are then carried out to theground by pneumatic transfer of suction or press-in system.

(4) This stage is also that of construction of the horizontal gallery,and as shown in FIG. 1(iv), the materials and equipment including thespray concrete b for the disposal gallery 3 are stored in the carryingcontainer 11 and are then carried in from the ground into the disposalgallery 3 at the bottom of the vertical shaft 2 a by pneumatic transferof suction or press-in system.

Incidentally, in the stage of construction of the horizontal gallery,other paths such as the vertical shafts and the galleries or othercarrying means are also available for the carrying-out of the excavationchips a or the carrying-in of the materials and equipment.

(5) This stage is that of operation, and as shown in FIG. 1(v), wastematter A and a buffer material B are stored in the carrying container 11and so on (as will be described later) and are then carried in from theground into the disposal gallery 3 by pneumatic transfer of suction orpress-in system to ensure that the waste matter A is positioned andburied in a disposal hole 7.

Specifically, transfer of the waste matter for positioning may takeplace also using an automatic remote control positioning apparatus orthe like. Or alternatively, it is also allowable to apply the aircarrying pipeline 10 to the transfer of the waste matter for positioningin such a manner as to place the air carrying pipeline 10 also in thedisposal gallery 3.

The air carrying pipeline 10 is also serviceable as an exhaust shaft forventilation of the underground facilities as will be described later,and thus requires no arrangement of other ventilation systems, leadingto an increase in economical efficiency.

[B] For Use of an Individual Vertical Shaft as the Air Carrying Pipeline

(1) This stage is that of construction of the vertical shaft, and asshown in FIG. 2(i), an individual vertical shaft 12 for carrying isconstructed with a raise boring machine or the like for use in a risingconstruction method. A lining material and a membrane are given to aninside surface of the vertical shaft 12 constructed by excavation, aswill be described later, and the vertical shaft 12 is used as an aircarrying pipeline 13. The individual vertical shaft 12 for carrying isalso served as a ventilating vertical shaft, as will be described later.

(2) This stage is that of construction of the horizontal gallery, and asshown in FIG. 2(ii), the excavation chips a from the disposal gallery 3are stored in the carrying container 11 and are then carried in to theground by pneumatic transfer of suction or press-in system by using theair carrying pipeline 13 obtained by the individual vertical shaft.

(3) This stage is also that of construction of the horizontal gallery,and as shown in FIG. 2(iii), the materials and equipment including thespray concrete b for the disposal gallery 3 are stored in the carryingcontainer 11 and are then carried in from the ground into the disposalgallery 3 by pneumatic transfer of suction or press-in system by usingthe air carrying pipeline 13 obtained by the individual vertical shaft.

Incidentally, in the stage of construction of the horizontal gallery,other paths such as the vertical shafts and the galleries or othercarrying means are also available for the carrying-out of the excavationchips a or the carrying-in of the materials and equipment.

(4) This stage is that of operation, and as shown in FIG. 2(iv), thewaste matter A and the buffer material B are stored in the carryingcontainer 11 and so on (as will be described later) and are then carriedin from the ground into the disposal gallery 3 by pneumatic transfer ofsuction or press-in system by using the air carrying pipeline 13obtained by the individual vertical shaft to ensure that the wastematter A is positioned and buried in the disposal hole 7.

Specifically, the transfer of the waste matter for positioning in thiscase may take place also using the automatic remote control positioningapparatus or the like. Or alternatively, it is also allowable to applythe air carrying pipeline 10 to the transfer of the waste matter forpositioning in such a manner as to place the air carrying pipeline 10also in the disposal gallery 3.

With the use of the vertical shaft itself as a part of a pneumatictransfer system as described the above, {circle over (1)} the aircarrying pipeline having the strength and the air-tightness may beconstructed only by placing the lining material and the membrane on theinner side wall of the vertical shaft. {circle over (2)} The compacttransfer system may be given to ensure that a vertical shaft diameterreduction is attainable. The above advantages lead to an increase ineconomical efficiency. {circle over (3)} The vertical shaft 12 itself isalso serviceable as the exhaust shaft for ventilation of the undergroundfacilities as will be described later, and thus requires no arrangementof other ventilation systems, leading to an increase in economicalefficiency.

[C] Pneumatic Transfer System

FIGS. 3 to 5 show an embodiment of the air carrying pipeline 13 appliedto the above case [B], and the air carrying pipeline 13 having thestrength and the air-tightness is constructed by giving a liningmaterial (such as concrete) 14 and a membrane (such as a stainless steelplate) 15 to an inner wall surface of the individual vertical shaft 12constructed by excavation of a bedrock. It is noted that the aircarrying pipeline 10 applied to the above case [A] is constructed byconnecting steel pipe units together.

An exhaust device 16 such as a blower is placed at an upper part of theair carrying pipeline 13 (or 10), and an air valve 17 is provided at alower part thereof to control a carrying speed (an ascend speed and adescend speed) of the carrying container 11 by managing a differencebetween pneumatic pressures at the upper and lower sides of the carryingcontainer 11 in such a manner as to effect the exhaust of air throughthe upper part and the suction of air through the lower part. Althoughthe illustrated embodiment employs the negative pressure suction system,the present invention is not limited to the above system, and a positivepressure press-in system with the blower or the like arranged at thelower part or a system with the blower or the like arranged at both ofthe upper and lower parts is also available.

With the above pneumatic transfer system, {circle over (1)} it isallowable to dispense with the wire rope required for the conventionalvertical shaft system so that any restriction by a depth is eliminatedto ensure that carrying even to the greater depth is executable. {circleover (2)} A carrying speed is increased. {circle over (3)} The transfersystem is simple because of only the need for the differential pressuremanagement, leading to an increase in carrying reliability. {circle over(4)} A transfer system mechanism is simple, so that high resistance totroubles is obtainable and the maintenance or management thereof becomesfacilitated. {circle over (5)} There is no necessity of a precisecarrying machine, resulting in an increase in economical efficiency.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air valve 17 is a kind of check valve and has astructure in which an opened condition is automatically given by theflow of air created at the time of carrying to ensure that the inflow ofair from the underground facilities to the air carrying pipeline 13 ispermitted, while a closed condition is automatically given by thereverse flow of air created at the time of system troubles orspontaneous falling to ensure that the outflow of air from the aircarrying pipeline 13 to the underground facilities is prevented.

Thus, {circle over (1)} with the operation of the pneumatic transfersystem, the air valve 17 is opened automatically to effect the suctionof air in the underground facilities for the exhaust to the ground,thereby enabling the ventilation in an administrative area of theunderground facilities, as shown in FIG. 6. In other words, theindividual vertical shaft 12 for carrying is also serviceable as theventilating vertical shaft, and thus requires no arrangement of otherventilating systems, leading to an increase in economical efficiency.{circle over (2)} Even if a stop of the power supply or the like in thecourse of carrying brings about a spontaneous fall condition of thecarrying container 11 or the like, the reverse flow of air allows theair valve 17 to be closed automatically to ensure that a compressionaction (a vertical shaft damper effect) of air in an airtight conditionat the lower part of the vertical shaft is adapted to prevent disasterscaused by a crash of the waste matter A against the lower part of thefacilities. In other words, a failsafe function is secured.

As shown in FIG. 3, the air carrying pipeline 13 has also, at the upperand lower parts, detachable devices 18. The upper and lower parts of theair carrying pipeline 13 are respectively composed of steel pipes, andloading and unloading of the carrying container 11 or the like areeffected in such a manner as to horizontally slide movable steel pipesfor the above steel pipes using a traverse carriage and so on.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a carrying container-11 carrying-inprocess. (1) The carrying container 11 with the materials and equipment,the waste matter or the buffer material or the like stored therein isinserted into the upper detachable device 18, and this upper detachabledevice 18 is then set at the upper part of the air carrying pipeline 13.(2) The exhaust device 16 is operated to carry the carrying container 11to the underground site, while managing the difference between thepneumatic pressures at the upper and lower sides of the carryingcontainer 11. (3) The lower detachable device 18 is detached from thelower part of the air carrying pipeline 13 to take out the carryingcontainer 11 from the lower detachable device 18.

[D] Waste Matter and Buffer Material

FIGS. 8 to 10 show various kinds of carrying matter forms. FIGS. 8 and 9show a case where the carrying of the waste matter A (overpack) and thebuffer material (bentonite-contained mixed soil) B that are integratedtogether is effected, and the integrated waste matter A and buffermaterial B are positioned and buried. In the case shown in FIG. 8, thewaste matter A and the buffer material B are stored in an integratingcontainer 20 at the ground facilities, and the carrying of theintegrating container 20 is effected with the integrating container 20further inserted into the carrying container 11. In the case shown inFIG. 9, the waste matter A and the buffer material B are stored in theintegrating container 20 at the ground facilities, and the carrying ofthe integrating container 20 is effected as it is with the integratingcontainer 20 as the carrying container 11.

The carrying matter form is not limited to the above forms, and it isalso allowable to carry the waste matter A as it is without using thecarrying container, as shown in FIG. 10. Further, the carrying of thewaste matter A may be also effected with the waste matter A stored inthe carrying container 11. In this case, the carrying of the buffermaterial B is effected separately with the buffer material B stored inthe carrying container 11.

In addition, spacers 21 such as wheels mounted to an outer circumferenceof the carrying container 11 as shown in FIG. 8 are effective inpreventing the membrane of the air carrying pipeline from being damagedby the container during the carrying, leading to an increase inpneumatic transfer system durability. Further, a seal material isprovided on the outer circumference of the carrying container 11 asneeded.

In use of the carrying container 11 shown in FIG. 8, removal of theintegrating container 20 from the carrying container 11 is effected, andthis integrating container 20 is positioned and buried in the disposalhole 7 as it is, as shown in FIG. 11. In use of the carrying container11 shown in FIG. 9, the received integrating container 20 serving alsoas the carrying container is also positioned and buried in the disposalhole 7 as it is.

With the use of the integrating container in which the waste matter Aand the buffer material B are integrated together as described theabove, {circle over (1)} there is no necessity to position the wastematter A and the buffer material B individually in the underground site,unlike the conventional technology, so that the positioning work may beeffected safely, quickly and reliably at low cost, and the positioningreliability and the buffer material quality are increased. {circle over(2)} With the integrating container 20 positioned in the disposal hole 7as it is, no swelling of the buffer material is caused because of nopermeation of the underground water into the buffer material B duringthe period of operation (until a period of time when a corrosion hole iscaused in the integrating container), so that the retrieving during theabove period becomes facilitated. Also, the removal for each integratingcontainer 20 may be easily performed.

Alternatively, it is also allowable to carry the waste matter A and thebuffer material B individually by pneumatic transfer, without beinglimited to the carrying of the waste matter A and the buffer material Bthat are integrated together. When the carrying of the waste matter A iseffected as it is as shown in FIG. 10, a further inside diameterreduction of the individual vertical shaft 12 or the like is obtainable.For the individual carrying of the waste matter A and the buffermaterial B using the carrying container 11, the carrying of the wastematter A and the buffer material B is effected with an upper buffermaterial B₁, the waste matter A and a lower buffer material B₂ stored inthree pieces of carrying containers 11 respectively, for instance, asshown in FIG. 12. Then, the positioning is effected in such a mannerthat the lower buffer material B₂ is firstly positioned in the disposalhole 7, the waste material A is then positioned, and the upper buffermaterial B₁ is then positioned on the waste matter A. In the stage ofconstruction, the carrying of the excavation chips or the materials andequipment including the spray concrete may be effected with theexcavation chips or the materials and equipment stored in the carryingcontainer 11.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a pneumatic transfer system that isindependent of a vertical accuracy of the vertical shaft 12. It ispossible to attain the carrying independent of an accuracy of excavationto a perpendicularity of the vertical shaft in such a manner as toprovide a structure in which the carrying matter such as the carryingcontainer 11 and the waste matter A makes contact with the membrane 15around the carrying matter only through a plane including a sectionperpendicular to the vertical shaft 12, in other words, form thecarrying matter in a spherical or oval shape, for instance.

Even if the vertical shaft 12 is in a somewhat vertically deformedcondition as shown in FIG. 14, the carrying of the carrying matter maybe effected safely in such a manner as to form the carrying matter inthe spherical or oval shape or the like. Further, the increasedstability during the carrying and at the time of landing is provided bylocating the center of gravity of the carrying matter at a positionlower than a point of contact of the carrying matter with the membranein such a manner as to place the waste matter A at the lower part of thecarrying container 11, as shown in FIG. 15.

Alternatively, the individual vertical shaft 12 for carrying need notextending perpendicularly, and may be an inclined or partially curvedshaft (with a curve whose radius of curvature is as much as permittingpassage of the carrying container or the like), as shown in FIG. 16.

Further, with the use of the vertical shaft damper effect at itsmaximum, the carrying in a spontaneous fall condition may be alsoeffected. When a method of carrying in the spontaneous fall condition isadopted, it is also allowable to increase the damper effect in such amanner as to fill the vertical shaft with liquid such as water. Whilethe vertical shaft damper effect provides a high failsafe against thefall of the carrying matter, the further increased safety may beprovided by gradually reducing the lower part diameter of the verticalshaft 12, as shown in FIG. 17.

The differential pressure management applied to a case where thecarrying matter is lightweight (the carrying device is capable of beinglifted with the atmospheric pressure) is limited to the suction system(with the negative pressure). On the other hand, the differentialpressure management applied to a case where the carrying matter is heavyis limited to the press-in system (with the positive pressure).

While the foregoing description relates to the stratum disposal site, itis to be understood that the present invention is not limited to thestratum disposal site, and it is allowable to apply the pneumatictransfer system of the present invention also to construction of thetunnels such as the mountain tunnels. While the stratum disposal of theradioactive waste matter in the mode of positioning with the disposalholes has been described, it is to be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to the above positioning mode, and it is, ofcourse, allowable to apply the present invention to other positioningmodes. It is also to be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the burying disposal of radioactive waste matter, and it isalso allowable to apply the present invention to the burying disposal ofother waste matters.

The present invention has the above arrangements, and therefore, thefollowing effects may be obtained.

(1) Since the present invention employs the pneumatic transfer systemfor carrying of the excavation chips, the materials and equipment, thewaste matter and the buffer material or the like to carry out and carryin the carrying mater by using the difference between the pneumaticpressures at the upper and lower sides of the carrying matter, {circleover (1)} it is allowable to dispense with the conventional wire rope sothat any restriction by the depth is eliminated to ensure that thecarrying to the greater depth is executable, {circle over (2)} thecarrying speed may be increased as compared with that of theconventional wire rope system, {circle over (3)} the transfer systemrequires only the differential pressure management, leading to theincrease in carrying reliability, {circle over (4)} the transfer systemmechanism is simple, so that high resistance to the troubles isobtainable and the maintenance or management thereof becomesfacilitated, and {circle over (5)} there is no necessity of the precisecarrying machine, resulting in the increase in economical efficiency.With the above advantages, the carrying-out of the excavation chips orthe like and the carrying-in of the materials and equipment inconstructing the stratum disposal site and the mountain tunnels or thelike, the carrying-in of the waste matter in the stratum disposal site,and the positioning of the waste matter and the buffer material in thestratum disposal site may be effected safely, quickly and reliably atlow cost.

(2) With the operation of the pneumatic transfer system, it is allowableto effect the suction of air in the underground facilities or thetunnels to ensure that the ventilation in the underground facilities orin the tunnels is achievable. The air carrying pipeline is alsoserviceable as the ventilating vertical shaft, and thus requires noarrangement of other ventilation systems, leading to the increase ineconomical efficiency.

(3) With the use of the vertical shaft or the like itself as the part ofthe pneumatic transfer system, {circle over (1)} the air carryingpipeline having the strength and the air-tightness may be constructedeasily only by placing the lining material and the membrane or the likeon the inner side wall of the vertical shaft or the like, and {circleover (2)} the compact transfer system may be given to ensure that thediameter reduction of the vertical shaft or the like is attainable. Theabove advantages lead to the increase in economical efficiency.

(4) The carrying container is put to practical use in the stratumdisposal of the radioactive waste matter, and the waste matter and thebuffer material are integrated together at the ground facilities. Bypositioning and burying the integrated waste matter and buffer materialin the disposal space of the underground facilities, together with thecarrying container, {circle over (1)} there is no necessity to positionthe waste matter and the buffer material individually in the undergroundsite, unlike the conventional technology, so that the positioning workmay be effected safely, quickly and reliably at low cost, and thepositioning reliability and the buffer material quality are increased.{circle over (2)} No swelling of the buffer material is caused becauseof no permeation of the underground water into the buffer material for acertain period of time since the positioning of the buffer material, sothat the retrieving becomes facilitated, and the removal work is alsoeasily performed.

(5) With the air valve provided at the lower part of the air carryingpipeline, the outflow of air from the vertical shaft or the like intothe underground facilities or the tunnels is prevented, so that even ifthe stop of the power supply or the like in the course of carryingbrings about the spontaneous fall condition of the carrying matter, thedamper effect obtained by the compression action of air at the lowerpart of the air carrying pipeline may be adapted to prevent thedisasters caused by the crash of the carrying matter against the lowerpart of the underground facilities or the like.

1-6. (cancelled).
 7. A stratum disposal method of performing stratumdisposal of waste matter in an underground disposal space, the stratumdisposal method, characterized in that: an air carrying pipeline is usedwhile extending said air carrying pipeline downwards as desired duringexcavation of a vertical shaft or an inclined shaft so as to carry outvertical shaft or inclined shaft excavation chips to the ground and alsocarry in materials and equipment for the vertical shaft or the inclinedshaft to the underground site so that the vertical shaft or the inclinedshaft is constructed by repeating the execution of works of extendingthe air carrying pipeline downwards, of effecting the carrying-out ofthe excavation chips to the ground and of placing concrete on an innerwall surface of the vertical shaft or the inclined shaft; by using saidair carrying pipeline extending from the vertical shaft or the inclinedshaft to an underground gallery, excavation chips from the undergroundgallery are carried out to the ground or materials and equipment for theunderground gallery are carried in to the underground site so that theunderground gallery is constructed by repeating the execution of worksof effecting the carrying-out of the excavation chips to the ground andof placing the concrete on an inner wall surface of the undergroundgallery; the waste matter and a buffer material are then stored in anintegrating container at the ground facilities; and with saidintegrating container stored in a carrying container or with saidintegrating container used as the carrying container, said air carryingpipeline is used to carry in said carrying container or said integratingcontainer to the underground gallery so that the integrating containerobtained after being removed from said air carrying container or theintegrating container obtained as the carrying container is positionedand buried in a disposal space as it is.
 8. A stratum disposal method ofperforming stratum disposal of waste matter in an underground disposalspace, the stratum disposal method, characterized in that: a verticalshaft or an inclined shaft itself constructed by excavation is used asan air carrying pipeline by providing a member having a strength and anair-tightness on an inner wall surface of the vertical shaft or theinclined shaft; by using said air carrying pipeline, excavation chipsfrom an underground gallery are carried out to the ground, or materialsand equipment for the underground gallery are carried in to theunderground site so that the underground gallery is constructed byrepeating the execution of works of effecting the carrying-out of theexcavation chips to the ground and of placing concrete on an inner wallsurface of the underground gallery; the waste matter and a buffermaterial are then stored in an integrating container at the groundfacilities; and with said integrating container stored in a carryingcontainer or with said integrating container used as the carryingcontainer, said air carrying pipeline is used to carry in said carryingcontainer or said integrating container to the underground gallery sothat the integrating container obtained after being removed from thecarrying container or the integrating container obtained as the carryingcontainer is positioned and buried in the disposal space as it is. 9.The stratum disposal method according to claim 7, wherein the aircarrying pipeline has, at a lower part, an air valve having a structurein which an opened condition is automatically given by the flow of aircreated at the time of carrying so that the inflow of air from theunderground facilities to the air carrying pipeline is permitted, whilea closed condition is automatically given by the reverse flow of aircreated at the time of system troubles or spontaneous falling so thatthe outflow of air from the air carrying pipeline to the undergroundfacilities is prevented.
 10. The stratum disposal method according toclaim 8, wherein the air carrying pipeline has, at a lower part, an airvalve having a structure in which an opened condition is automaticallygiven by the flow of air created at the time of carrying so that theinflow of air from the underground facilities to the air carryingpipeline is permitted, while a closed condition is automatically givenby the reverse flow of air created at the time of system troubles orspontaneous falling so that the outflow of air from the air carryingpipeline to the underground facilities is prevented.